Over the next five years, low skilled migrants with limited English will have the option to apply for permanent residency after living and working in the Northern Territory for at least three years.

From cooks to family day care workers to motor mechanics, low skilled migrants will now be able to apply for Australia’s permanent residency.

Northern Territory has opened its door to skilled migrants in 117 occupations and has offered a pathway to permanent residency to these workers who are willing to work and live in the region for at least three years.

In a bid to distribute the migrant population outside Australia’s major cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, the Australian government has designed a new scheme to attract migrants to regional areas across the country.

The scheme – known as the Designation Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)s has been announced for two regions in Australia – Warrnambool region in Victoria and the Northern Territory which are experiencing labour shortages and need a population boost.

The second-such agreement for NT, this time with a pathway to permanent residency, DAMA II came into effect on January 1st 2019.

Darwin Waterfront

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Mr David Coleman said DAMA II is an example of the Government using Australia’s migration program to benefit specific locations.

“The Government is working to improve our immigration program to better match the needs of our states, territories and regional areas,” Mr Coleman said.

“Our first priority is always to fill jobs with Australians, but the immigration system can play an important role in helping to address regional skills gaps.

“The NT has seen first-hand the benefits of using a DAMA to respond to their unique workforce shortages.

“I am pleased that we can continue to partner with the NT Government to support the skills needs of local businesses where Australian workers are not available to fill those jobs.”

The NT Government and the Federal Government have shortlisted 117 occupations ranging from accountants to child care worker to chef to web designer, where employers can recruit skilled migrants if they are unable to fill positions locally.

Many occupations on the list are eligible for English language concession and a Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) concession. Check if your occupation is on the list, here.

NT DAMA II Occupation List

Occupations

Accountant (General)

Accounts Clerk

Aeroplane Pilot

Aged or Disabled Carer

Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator

Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)

Aquaculture Farmer

Arborist

Automotive Electrician

Baker

Bar Attendant Supervisor

Barista

Beauty Therapist

Beef Cattle Farmer

Bookkeeper

Bus Driver

Butcher or Smallgoods Maker

Cabinetmaker

Cabler (Data and Telecommunications)

Cafe or Restaurant Manager

Carpenter

Chef

Chief Executive or Managing Director

Child Care Centre Manager

Child Care Worker

Civil Engineering Technician

Community Worker

Conference and Event Organiser

Cook

Cook (includes Ethnic Cuisine)

Crowd Controller

Customer Service Manager

Deck Hand

Dental Assistant

Diesel Motor Mechanic

Disabilities Services Officer

Diver

Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher

Earth Science Technician

Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)

Electrical Linesworker

Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)

Excavator Operator

Facilities Manager

Family Day Care Worker

Family Support Worker

Fitter (General)

Fitter and Turner

Fitter-Welder

Floor Finisher

Flying Instructor

Forklift Driver

Fruit or Nut Grower

Gaming Worker

Hair or Beauty Salon Manager

Hairdresser

Hardware Technician

Hotel or Motel Manager

Hotel or Motel Receptionist

Hotel Service Manager

ICT Customer Support Officer

ICT Support Technicians nec

Interpreter

Landscape Gardener

Licensed Club Manager

Linemarker

Management Accountant

Marketing Specialist

Metal Fabricator

Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer

Mixed Crop Farmer

Mixed Livestock Farmer

Motor Mechanic (General)

Motor Vehicle or Caravan Salesperson

Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General)

Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter

Motorcycle Mechanic

Nursing Support Worker

Office Manager

Out of School Hours Care Worker

Panelbeater

Personal Care Assistant

Pharmacy Technician

Plumber (General)

Pressure Welder

Program or Project Administrator

Property Manager

Recreation Officer

Residential Care Worker

Retail Manager (General)

Retail Supervisor

Sales and Marketing Manager

Sheetmetal Trades Worker

Ship’s Engineer

Ship’s Master

Small Engine Mechanic

Sound Technician

Supply and Distribution Manager

Taxation Accountant

Telecommunications Cable Jointer

Telecommunications Linesworker

Telecommunications Technician

Therapy Aide

Tour Guide

Truck Driver (General)

Vegetable Grower

Vehicle Painter

Veterinary Nurse

Waiter Supervisor

Waste Water or Water Plant Operator

Web Administrator

Web Designer

Welder (First Class)

Welfare Worker

Youth Worker

Big incentive to move to the NT”

Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the addition of the pathway to permanent residency in DAMA II gave skilled migrants a big incentive to move to the NT and stay long-term.

“The Territory Labor Government’s number one priority is jobs for Territorians but we know access to, and retention of, a suitably skilled workforce is a key issue for many employers and there is a need for additional workers, Mr Gunner said.

“We also know that more people moving to the Territory equals more jobs.

“The Territory Labor Government fought hard for the inclusion of the pathway to permanent residency in this new five-year agreement, which we expect to significantly increase the number of skilled migrants moving to the Territory.

“The NT has a long and proud history of migration of overseas nationals and they have been a key contributor to economic growth, population growth and social diversity. This new agreement will help that continue.”

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